ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR CONTACTLESS TRANSFER OF ELECTRICAL POWER

Abstract

Adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power, comprising a receptacle adapter (110) and a plug adapter (120), wherein the receptacle adapter (110) and the plug adapter (120) are provided with corresponding magnetic fastening means (113,123), respectively, for mutual connection by means of a magnetic force, wherein the receptacle adapter (110) and plug adapter (120) are provided with means for contactless transfer of electrical power in that the receptacle adapter (110) comprises a primary side (131) of a transformer (132) and the plug adapter (120) comprises a secondary side (133) of the transformer (132), such that when the receptacle adapter (110) and plug adapter (120) are connected together via the magnetic fastening means(113,123), the transformer (132) is capable of transferring power from the receptacle adapter (110) to the plug adapter (120) without physical contact between power transferring parts.

Claims

1. Adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power, comprising a receptacle adapter (110) and a plug adapter (120), wherein the receptacle adapter (110) and the plug adapter (120) are provided with corresponding magnetic fastening means (113,123), respectively, for mutual connection by means of a magnetic force, wherein the receptacle adapter (110) and plug adapter (120) are provided with means for contactless transfer of electrical power in that the receptacle adapter (110) comprises a primary side (131) of a transformer (132) and the plug adapter (120) comprises a secondary side (133) of the transformer (132), such that when the receptacle adapter (110) and plug adapter (120) are connected together via the magnetic fastening means (113,123), the transformer (132) is capable of transferring power from the receptacle adapter (110) to the plug adapter (120) without physical contact between power transferring parts, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) comprises a main body (111) accommodating the primary side (131) of the transformer (132) and the magnetic fastening means (113), the magnetic fastening means (113) being recessed in the main body (111) and arranged for receiving and accommodating the magnetic fastening means (123) of the plug adapter (120), and the plug adapter (120) comprises a main body (121) accommodating the secondary side (133) of the transformer (132) and the magnetic fastening means (123), the magnetic fastening means (123) protruding from the main body (121) and adapted for arrangement to the magnet fastening means (113) of the receptacle adapter (110).

2. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic fastening means (113) of the receptacle adapter (110) is placed in a circular recess on a front side of the main body (111).

3. Adapter assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that front side of the main body (111) comprises two or more circular female recesses with magnetic fastening means (113).

4. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that magnetic fastening means (123) of the plug adapter (120) is placed in a circular protrusion on a front side of the main body (121).

5. Adapter assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that front side of the main body (121) comprises two or more circular male protrusions with magnetic fastening means (123).

6. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) is connected to an AC power supply cord (22).

7. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug adapter (120) is connected to an AC power supply cord (22).

8. Adapter assembly according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) is a female connector and the plug adapter (120) is a male connector, for connection of two AC power supply cords (22).

9. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that two or more receptacle adapters (110) are provided in the main body, one above the other, wherein the main body is a receptacle cover or cover box (160) arranged for placement on a wall, and the receptacle adapters (110) are connected to an AC power supply.

10. Adapter assembly to according to claim 1, characterized in that two or more receptacle adapters (110) and a junction box (11) are integrated in a receptacle cover (160) adapted for arrangement in connection with a cavity (201) of a wall (200).

11. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the transformer (132) is arranged for transforming supplied AC current/voltage at a certain frequency to a desired output AC current/voltage of a desired frequency.

12. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the transformer (132) is arranged for transforming supplied AC current/voltage to a desired DC current/voltage.

13. Adapter assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) and/or the plug adapter (120) is provided with a rectifier unit (134) connected at the secondary side (133) of the transformer (132).

14. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) is provided with at least one track (140) adapted for receiving a clip (150) for easy handling of the receptacle adapter (110) in connection with arrangement to and/or from a standard electrical receptacle (10).

15. Adapter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) is adapted for connection to an AC power supply at one end and the plug adapter (120) at the other end, the plug adapter (120) being adapted for connection to a power cord (22) at one end and to the receptacle adapter (110) at the other end, wherein the receptacle adapter (110) and plug adapter (120) are provided with said magnetic fastening means (113, 123), respectively.

16. Receptacle adapter (110) for contactless transfer of electrical power, wherein the receptacle adapter (110) is provided with magnetic fastening means (113) and with means for contactless transfer of electrical power in that the receptacle adapter (110) comprises a primary side (131) of a transformer (132) for transferring power from the receptacle adapter (110) to a plug adapter (120) without physical contact between power transferring parts, characterized in that the receptacle adapter (110) comprises a main body (111) accommodating the primary side (131) of the transformer (132) and the magnetic fastening means (113), the magnetic fastening means (113) being recessed in the main body (111) and arranged for receiving and accommodating magnetic fastening means (123) of the plug adapter (120).

17. Plug adapter (120) for contactless transfer of electrical power, wherein the plug adapter (120) is provided with magnetic fastening means (123) and with means for contactless transfer of electrical power in that the plug adapter (120) comprises a secondary side (133) of a transformer (132) for transferring power from the plug adapter (120) to a receptacle adapter (110) without physical contact between power transferring parts, characterized in that the plug adapter (120) comprises a main body (121) accommodating the secondary side (133) of the transformer (132) and the magnetic fastening means (123), the magnetic fastening means (123) protruding from the main body (121) and adapted for arrangement to magnet fastening means (113) of the receptacle adapter (110).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

[0056] The present invention will below be described in further detail with references to the attached drawings, where:

[0057] FIG. 1a-c shows principle drawings of a wall-mounted standard electrical receptacle according to prior art,

[0058] FIG. 2a-c shows principle drawings of an adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0059] FIG. 3a-c shows principle drawings of contactless power transfer means according to the present invention,

[0060] FIG. 4 is a principle drawing of a modification of the first embodiment with a principle drawing of a tool for insertion and/or removal of a receptacle adapter for the adapter assembly according to the present invention to/from a standard electrical receptacle,

[0061] FIG. 5a-b shows principle drawings of an adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0062] FIG. 6 is a principle drawing of a junction box according to prior art, and

[0063] FIG. 7 is a principle drawing of a further embodiment of the adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power according to the present invention.

[0064] FIGS. 8 and 9 shows an adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] FIGS. 10 and 11 shows further embodiments of the adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power according to the present invention.

[0066] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1a-c showing a wall mounted standard electrical receptacle 10 according to prior art. The electrical receptacle 10 according to prior art is formed by wall-mounted junction box 11 arranged to connect to an AC power supply grid, which exhibits terminals 12 for receiving conductive connectors 21 of a plug 20 of a power cord 22 (shown in FIG. 2c) of a consumer, typically an electrical device. The electrical receptacle 10 further comprises a receptacle cover 13 which is fixed to the junction box 11 and exhibits recesses 14 provided with holes 15 for receiving and accommodating the plug 20 and conductive connectors 21a and the arrange the plug 20 safely to the electrical receptacle 10, as well as protecting the environment from electrical conductive parts.

[0067] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2a-c showing a first embodiment of an adapter assembly for contactless transfer of electrical power according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to the first embodiment of the adapter assembly according to the present invention the adapter assembly comprises a receptacle adapter 110 formed by a main body 111 and provided with conductive connectors 112 at one end corresponding to the type of electrical receptacle 10 and at the other end is provided with a magnetic fastening means 113. Accordingly, the receptacle adapter 110 is adapted to be received in the recesses 14 of the electrical receptacle 10 and provide a magnetic fastening means 113 for connection of a plug adapter 120 according to the present invention. The plug adapter 120 of the adapter assembly according to the first embodiment of present invention is formed by a main body 121 which at one end is provided with female conductive connectors 122 adapted for receiving the conductive connectors 21 of a plug 20 and which at the other end is provided with a magnet magnetic fastening means 123 adapted for connection to the receptacle adapter 110 by magnetic force. Accordingly, with plug adapters 120 arranged to the relevant plugs 20 of a power cord 22 any kind of power cord 22 can be connected to the electrical receptacle 10 by means of the adapter assembly according to the present invention.

[0068] The magnet fastening means 113 of the receptacle adapter 110 is preferably recessed in the main body 111, while the magnetic fastening means 123 of the plug adapter 120 is preferably protruding from the end of the main body 121, such than when the plug adapter 120 is arranged to the receptacle adapter 110, the magnetic fastening means 113 of the receptacle adapter 110 is arranged to receive and accommodate the magnetic fastening means 123 of the plug adapter 120. The magnetic retaining force of the magnetic fastening means 113, 123 is preferably lower than the retaining force between the conductive connectors 112 and terminals 12 of the junction box 11. In a preferable embodiment the magnetic fastening means 113, 123 exhibit a mainly circular shape. By this is achieved an adequate magnetic connection that will exhibit sufficient magnetic force holding the plug adapter 120 to the receptacle adapter 110.

[0069] According to the present invention the adapter assembly is further arranged for contactless transfer of electrical power between the electrical receptacle 10 and the plug adapter 120 by that the receptacle adapter 110 and plug adapter 120 are provided with magnetic or inductive means 131, 132, respectively, for contactless transfer of electrical power, which are connected with the conductive connectors 112 and female conductive connectors 122, respectively.

[0070] According to the present invention the power cord 22 can also be manufactured with a plug adapter 120 as shown in FIGS. 2c and 8.

[0071] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3a-c. Accordingly, the receptacle adapter 110 is provided with primary side 131 of a transformer 132 and the plug adapter 120 is provided with secondary side 133 of the transformer 132, such that when the receptacle adapter 110 and plug adapter 120 are connected together via the magnetic fastening means 113, 123 the transformer 132 is capable of transferring power from the receptacle adapter 110 to the plug adapter 120 without physical contact between electrical power transferring parts.

[0072] By means of the transformer 132 the adapter assembly will be capable of transforming supplied AC current/voltage (e.g. 110 V, 220 V, 400 V) at given frequency (e.g. 50-60 Hz) to desired output AC current/voltage (e.g. 110 V, 220 V, 400 V) at desired frequency (e.g. 50-60 Hz) adapted to the electrical device connected to the adapter assembly via a power cord 22.

[0073] According to a further embodiment of the adapter assembly according to the present invention, the secondary side 133 of the transformer 130, i.e. the plug adapter 120 is further provided with a rectifier unit 134 capable of rectifying supplied AC current/voltage (e.g. 110 V, 220 V, 400 V) to desired DC current/voltage, such as e.g. 3, 5, 9, 12, 24 etc. Accordingly, the plug adapter 120 then removes the need for transformer and/or rectifier in the power cord 22 or electrical device.

[0074] The primary 131 and secondary 133 side of the transformer can be separated by air, iron-dust or iron. By use of iron dust or iron between the two sides 131, 133 this can be arranged in either one of the receptacle adapter 110 or plug adapter 120, or in both.

[0075] Accordingly, the plug adapter 120 can be arranged to the plug 20 of a power cord 22 until a supplier replaces the standard plug 20 with a plug with the integrated plug adapter 120 according to the present invention arranged for AC or DC according to the requirements of the electrical device.

[0076] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 showing a modified embodiment of receptacle adapter 110 as described above. According to a modified embodiment of the receptacle adapter 110 according to the present invention the main body 111 is provided with at least one track 140, preferably two diametrically opposite tracks 140, adapted for receiving a clip 150 designed to enter the tracks 140, By means of barbs on the clip 150 and corresponding recesses in the tracks 140 the clip 150 can engage the receptacle adapter 110 and the receptacle adapter 110 can in an easy manner be pulled out of engagement with or insertion into the electric receptacle 10.

[0077] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5a-b showing principle drawings of a second embodiment of a receptacle adapter 110 of the adapter assembly according to the present invention. In the second embodiment the receptacle adapter(s) 110 is/are integrated in a receptacle cover 160 which is adapted to replace the standard receptacle cover 20. In this embodiment the receptacle cover 160 is preassembled with the receptacle adapter(s) 110, such that the receptacle adapter(s) 110 are fixed therein, e.g. by that they are casted in place or fixed by appropriate fastening means. By this embodiment the standard receptacle cover 20 can be removed from the junction box 11 and the receptacle cover 160 with the integrated receptacle adapter(s) 110 can be connected to the junction box 11 by insertion of the conductive connectors 112 in the terminals 12 of the junction box 11 and fixation of the receptacle cover 160 to the junction box 11 by means of standard screw connections 161.

[0078] Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which is an example of a standard junction box 11 regardless of supplier with conductive connectors 16 for connection to respective conductors of an AC power supply grid and terminals 12 for connection thereto. The mentioned conductive connectors 16 can be omitted and the conductors of the AC power supply grid can be connected directly to the junction box 11. Reference is also made to FIG. 7 showing a principle drawing of a further embodiment of the adapter assembly according to the present invention where the above described receptacle cover 160 in addition to the receptacle adapter(s) 110 also has a junction box 11 integrated, prearranged to the receptacle cover 160 and receptacle adapter(s) 110. In such an embodiment the receptacle cover 160 is preferably provided with through holes 162 for accommodating fastening means 163, such as screws, enabling the receptacle cover 160 with the integrated junction box 11 and receptacle adapter(s) 110 to be fixed to a wall 200. By this embodiment the receptacle cover 160 according to the present invention will replace the need for a junction box 11 as used in the above described embodiments. By this embodiment is achieved a solution where the conductors of the AC power supply grid can be connected directly to the integrated junction box 11 or connected to conductive connectors 16 arranged thereto, and the junction box 11 can be received in a cavity 201 of a wall 200 and the receptacle cover 160 fixed to the wall 200 outside the cavity 201 as shown in FIG. 7 or that the receptacle cover 160 is arranged for being fixed to a wall 200 surface for exterior arrangement.

[0079] According to a further embodiment of the present invention at least one safety device (not shown), in the form of e.g. a fuse, is arranged in either the receptacle adapter 110 or plug adapter 120, or in both.

[0080] Reference is now made to FIGS. 8-9 showing principle drawings of a further embodiment of the adapter assembly according to the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a female plug adapter 110 connected to a power cord 22, and a male receptacle adapter 120 connected to a power cord 22. When the female plug adapter 110 is magnetically connected to the male receptacle adapter 120, an extension cord is provided. The magnet fastening means 113 of the receptacle adapter 110 is as previously disclosed recessed in the main body 111, while the magnetic fastening means 123 of the plug adapter 120 is protruding from the end of the main body 121, such than when the plug adapter 120 is arranged to the receptacle adapter 110, the magnetic fastening means 113 of the receptacle adapter 110 is arranged to receive and accommodate the magnetic fastening means 123 of the plug adapter 120. In a preferable embodiment the magnetic fastening means 113, 123 exhibit a mainly circular shape. By this is achieved an adequate magnetic connection that will exhibit sufficient magnetic force holding the plug adapter 120 to the receptacle adapter 110.

[0081] According to the present invention the adapter assembly is arranged for contactless transfer of electrical power between the electrical receptacle 110 and the plug adapter 120 by that the receptacle adapter 110 and plug adapter 120 are provided with magnetic or inductive means 131, 132, respectively, for contactless transfer of electrical power, which are connected with respective power cords 22.

[0082] The receptacle adapter 110 is, as shown in FIGS. 3a-c, provided with primary side 131 of a transformer 132 and the plug adapter 120 is provided with secondary side 133 of the transformer 132, such that when the receptacle adapter 110 and plug adapter 120 are connected together via the magnetic fastening means 113, 123 the transformer 132 is capable of transferring power from the receptacle adapter 110 to the plug adapter 120 without physical contact between electrical power transferring parts.

[0083] Reference is now made to FIGS. 10-11 showing principle drawings of a further embodiment of the adapter assembly according to the present invention. In the shown embodiment the receptacle adapters 110 are integrated in a receptacle cover 160 as a junction box, which is mounted on or in a wall in the same manner as a typical electrical receptacle. In this embodiment the receptacle cover box 160 is preassembled with the receptacle adapters 110, such that the receptacle adapters 110 are fixed therein, e.g. by that they are casted in place or fixed by appropriate fastening means.

[0084] In FIG. 10 a plug adapter 120 connected to a power cord 22 is magnetically connected to a lower receptacle adapter 110 integrated in the receptacle cover box 160. In FIG. 11 a standard plug 20 connected to a power cord 22 is inserted in the receptacle adapter 120, as previously disclosed, and the receptacle adapter 120 is magnetically connected to an upper receptacle adapter 110 integrated in the receptacle cover 160 or box.